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joedaclown's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
whatsheasaid's review against another edition
3.0
The tail end of this book turned my opinion of it around a bit, but for a little while it was probably looking at two-stars. This is the first Stephen King book in quite some time that was somewhat of a letdown for me. I seem to remember this book being toted as King's big return to horror, but while there are certainly some scary parts to it, it's far from nightmare-inducing.
It is, however, a fairly quick read, but I think it would be improved by being a little quicker. What I mean is: the middle sags a bit. The ending certainly picks-up the pace, and the last 100 pages or so are clearly meant to be read in one sitting. But one complaint I just cannot seem to shake is Charlie Jacob's character change. The character ages considerably throughout the novel, it's true, but what started out as a spry and friendly twentysomething ended up as a Mr. Burns-type in his 70s. The transformation isn't the problem for me, his fall from grace is well set-up, it's just believing it. Maybe it's because such big gaps of time are missing from his life, but his final form never sat right with me. It just seemed a little...unjustified.
Nevertheless, 'Revival' is a compelling story, packed with small town nostalgia and interesting characters that most King fans will enjoy. If you're just looking to get into King, however, don't start with this one.
It is, however, a fairly quick read, but I think it would be improved by being a little quicker. What I mean is: the middle sags a bit. The ending certainly picks-up the pace, and the last 100 pages or so are clearly meant to be read in one sitting. But one complaint I just cannot seem to shake is Charlie Jacob's character change. The character ages considerably throughout the novel, it's true, but what started out as a spry and friendly twentysomething ended up as a Mr. Burns-type in his 70s. The transformation isn't the problem for me, his fall from grace is well set-up, it's just believing it. Maybe it's because such big gaps of time are missing from his life, but his final form never sat right with me. It just seemed a little...unjustified.
Nevertheless, 'Revival' is a compelling story, packed with small town nostalgia and interesting characters that most King fans will enjoy. If you're just looking to get into King, however, don't start with this one.
_lilbey_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
wineofages's review against another edition
5.0
Started off rather slow for me and then at about 60-70% through it redeemed itself
spark5309's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 / 5.0
Good story.
It wasn’t scary as people were claiming it was.
I didn’t hate the ending.
Good story.
It wasn’t scary as people were claiming it was.
I didn’t hate the ending.
cottsy7's review against another edition
4.0
Took a while for anything to happen , but was still good, once it got going it was even better , ending was strange to say the least though
iblendspoons's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 Stars. Interesting but a little slow. You know the other shoe is going to drop because this is Stephen King, but I think it holds off a little too long. The story on the way was entertaining, but a little more incidental than I like.
pepper_ink's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hereswonderwall's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
valdezjones's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book, but for separate reasons at different parts and in a weird way, this book both did and didn’t have cohesion.
I really liked the first half or so of the book revolving around the tumultuous life of Jamie Morton. His childhood was so heartwarming, his youth so nostalgic, and he had so much potential. Meant well and did well.
The latter part of his life was fraught with suffering. Much self-inflicted, other parts tragically out of his hands. Every relevant part of his life were as threads that wove through the fabric of who he was, would become, and what became of him. I felt underwhelmed by his experience with Astrid after he had grown up. It made realistic sense, but just didn’t resonate with me. Also, Jacobs didn’t work very well for me. His development mostly happened behind the scenes and I had a hard time following him as a character.
Then the ending part. The whole Frankenstein-esque “Revival” of Mary. The cosmic dread of The Null, the existential horror of the mother and the state of those in her servitude; it was wonderfully dark! Though, I did not care for how suddenly Mary appeared in the story.
King really channeled many of his favorite works and authors in this one.
Regarding cohesion:
I think that the sequence about Jamie’s life and the part with Jacobs and The Mother and The Null just really happened abruptly. I loved both separate parts, but it felt a little jarring.
I really liked the first half or so of the book revolving around the tumultuous life of Jamie Morton. His childhood was so heartwarming, his youth so nostalgic, and he had so much potential. Meant well and did well.
The latter part of his life was fraught with suffering. Much self-inflicted, other parts tragically out of his hands. Every relevant part of his life were as threads that wove through the fabric of who he was, would become, and what became of him. I felt underwhelmed by his experience with Astrid after he had grown up. It made realistic sense, but just didn’t resonate with me. Also, Jacobs didn’t work very well for me. His development mostly happened behind the scenes and I had a hard time following him as a character.
Then the ending part. The whole Frankenstein-esque “Revival” of Mary. The cosmic dread of The Null, the existential horror of the mother and the state of those in her servitude; it was wonderfully dark! Though, I did not care for how suddenly Mary appeared in the story.
King really channeled many of his favorite works and authors in this one.
Regarding cohesion:
I think that the sequence about Jamie’s life and the part with Jacobs and The Mother and The Null just really happened abruptly. I loved both separate parts, but it felt a little jarring.